Forceful arrest under review

SANDUSKY — Sandusky police are investigating an arrest made last month by its officers after video of the incident, which involved the use of force, circulated on social media this past week. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said the video posted online, from an officer's body-worn camera, is only one of several that exist. Other videos, also from body cameras, reportedly show more of the incident that led up to Scotty B. Scott, 28, of North Forest Drive in Sandusky, being detained. As of late Friday, Scott is incarcerated in Erie County Jail under a $114,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty. He has a pre-trial scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10 in Sandusky Municipal Court. Sandusky police have scheduled a press conference for Saturday, Jan. 4. It's believed officers will show a broader video presentation of the arrest. Scott faces the following charges as a result of the incident on Dec. 19: • Robbery, a second-degree felony • Theft, a fourth-degree felony • Assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony • Obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony • Misdemeanor resisting arrest Before the incident Shortly before 8:40 a.m. Sandusky police initiated a traffic stop for a car that was traveling more than the 25 mph posted speed limit on Campbell Street near Rockwell Street. Officers recognized Scott as the passenger and knew that he had a bench warrant for his arrest, according to a Sandusky police report. Scott was ordered to exit the vehicle and place his hands behind his back. Once he was out of the car, Scott reportedly shoved the officer and took off running westbound on Buchanan Street, the report states. He led police on a chase that covered Thomas and Pierce streets that culminated with officers locating him at an enclosed patio in the 600 block of Pierce St. Officers forced open the door and ordered Scott to the ground. He reportedly refused, and Sandusky Officer Cameron Greenawalt deployed his stun gun on Scott. Scott then allegedly got up and charged the officer, pushing him to the ground. Scott then reportedly gained control of the stun gun and used it on Greenawalt, according to Sandusky police Chief Oliver. Greenawalt was able to make space between himself and Scott, who was unable to use it on the officer again. He reportedly continued to struggle and two other officers deployed their stun guns on him. They were then able to handcuff him. The theft, robbery and assault on a peace officer charges arise from Scott allegedly stealing the officer's stun gun and attempting to use it on him. The driver of the vehicle — Brittany Penfield, 36, of Shelby Street — was charged with misdemeanor misuse of 911 and two counts of obstruction, one being a felony and the other a misdemeanor. Arrest on video Use-of-force incidents are generally subject to review by law enforcement agencies, and it is not uncommon for officers involved in such incidents to be placed on leave pending that review. Oliver, on Friday, did not say if any officers were on leave. In the video obtained by the Register, the following can be seen in Scott's arrest: • An officer arrives at the scene of the arrest. He exits his cruiser, walks to the front of the vehicle and then begins to assist other officers to detain Scott, who is laying face-down on the ground. • In the video, Scott appears to be actively resisting his arrest by tensing his body and refusing to place his hands behind his back. • At least three officers are seen holding Scott down or controlling different parts of his body. • One officer is seen apparently striking the suspect four times in his midsection. • The man then made what appeared to be a taunting remark to the officer. • After a little more struggle, one officer is heard telling others to get back, because he was going to deploy his stun gun. • The man is then stunned. • Afterward he immediately stops struggling and is taken into custody. • While the man is handcuffed, one officer appears to place his foot on Scott's back just below his neck. The foot is removed shortly thereafter. • After police placed Scott in cuffs and stood him on his feet, he began repeatedly screaming for Penfield. One officer then pressed a stun gun into Scott's chest and threatened to shock him again before pulling the less-lethal weapon away. • Throughout the interaction, several officers can be heard using vulgar language and making demeaning remarks to Scott. At one point while Scott is handcuffed on the ground, an officer, whose face is not seen in the video, appears to kneel down next to Scott, grab him by his shirt and scream a vulgarity at him before apparently being pulled away by another officer. One person can be heard telling the officer to "calm down." The report specifically states two other officers, Sean Orman and Jake Icsman, as having deployed their stun guns on Scott. The report does not indicate that any officer brandished a firearm during the incident. Several people on social media have called the incident into question as an instance of police brutality. Scott is Black and the officers who used force on him are white. Protest planned Several citizens posted online encouraging people to participate in a march protesting Scott's arrest. The post, which bills the event as a "peaceful protest," is planned for 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 in the parking lot of Kroger on East Perkins Avenue. The protest will end at City Hall in downtown Sandusky. "Stand up to injustice and let your voice be heard," Sheba De Reyna wrote on Facebook. "Remember this is peaceful and by no means to condone any acts of violence."